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Small kitchens can often feel cramped and chaotic, but the right window treatments can completely transform the space. By choosing the correct blinds, you can maximize natural light, create sleek lines, and add a sense of openness that makes even the tiniest culinary corner feel spacious.
From minimalist roller shades to charming Roman blinds, here are 11 kitchen blind ideas designed to trick the eye and expand your space.
1. Minimalist White Roller Blinds
Keep things clean and uncluttered with simple white roller blinds. They blend seamlessly into white walls, reducing visual noise and making the ceiling appear higher.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose a daylight fabric to filter light without blocking it.
- Opt for a cordless mechanism for a streamlined appearance.
- Ensure a precise inside mount fit to avoid bulky hardware.
Shopping List
- White cordless roller shades
- Light filtering roller blinds
- Waterproof kitchen blinds
- Vinyl roller shades white
- Easy lift roller shades
- Sheer white roller blinds
- Custom cut roller shades
- Minimalist window shades
- UV protection roller blinds
- Modern kitchen window treatment
2. Classic Faux Wood Venetians
Faux wood blinds offer the warmth of real wood but are moisture-resistant—perfect for humid kitchens. Their horizontal lines can also make a narrow window look wider.
How To Get The Look:
- Select a lighter wood tone or off-white finish.
- Use wider slats (2 inches) to allow more light in when open.
- Pair with matching valances for a polished finish.
Shopping List
- Faux wood blinds 2 inch slats
- White faux wood blinds
- Cordless venetian blinds
- Moisture resistant blinds
- PVC wood effect blinds
- Distressed wood blinds
- Grey faux wood blinds
- Room darkening venetian blinds
- Kitchen window slats
- Embossed faux wood blinds
3. Sheer Cellular Shades
Cellular (honeycomb) shades are excellent for insulation. When you choose a sheer fabric, they let in a soft glow that brightens the room while maintaining privacy.
How To Get The Look:
- Pick a “top-down, bottom-up” design for versatile light control.
- Stick to neutral colors like cream, beige, or soft gray.
- Look for light-filtering opacity rather than blackout.
Shopping List
- Top down bottom up cellular shades
- Light filtering honeycomb blinds
- Cordless cellular shades
- Insulating window shades
- Single cell honeycomb shades
- Beige cellular blinds
- Smart cellular shades
- Energy efficient kitchen blinds
- Day and night honeycomb shades
- Custom cellular shades
4. Vertical Blinds for Sliding Doors
If your small kitchen opens to a patio, vertical blinds draw the eye upward, emphasizing vertical space and height rather than the lack of floor area.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose rigid vinyl vanes for durability and easy cleaning.
- Select a smooth, non-textured finish for a modern look.
- Ensure they stack completely to the side to maximize the view.
Shopping List
- Vertical blinds for sliding glass doors
- Vinyl vertical blinds
- Patio door blinds
- Fabric vertical blinds
- Vertical blind replacement slats
- Modern vertical blinds
- Blackout vertical blinds
- Grey vertical blinds
- Wand control vertical blinds
- Room divider blinds
5. Subtle Patterned Roman Shades
A small kitchen can handle patterns if they are subtle. A gentle stripe or small geometric print on a Roman shade adds depth without overwhelming the space.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose a flat fold style for a neat, tailored appearance.
- Pick patterns that use tone-on-tone colors.
- Mount the shade slightly above the window frame to create the illusion of height.
Shopping List
- Patterned roman shades
- Striped roman blinds
- Geometric window shades
- Fabric roman shades kitchen
- Custom roman shades
- Washable roman shades
- Blue and white roman shades
- Cordless fabric shades
- Thermal roman blinds
- Farmhouse roman shades
6. Sleek Aluminum Mini Blinds
For a retro-modern vibe that takes up zero visual space, thin aluminum slats are a great choice. They are incredibly compact when fully raised.
How To Get The Look:
- Go for a metallic silver or matte black finish.
- Choose the smallest slat size (1/2 inch or 1 inch).
- Ensure they are rust-resistant if placed near the sink.
Shopping List
- Aluminum mini blinds
- 1 inch metal blinds
- Silver venetian blinds
- Matte black mini blinds
- Cordless aluminum blinds
- Heavy duty metal blinds
- Privacy mini blinds
- Office blinds for kitchen
- Rust proof blinds
- Cheap kitchen blinds
7. Natural Bamboo Shades
Bamboo adds texture and warmth to a sterile small kitchen. Because the material is woven, it naturally filters light, creating an airy feel.
How To Get The Look:
- Select a lighter wood tone like birch or maple.
- Look for unlined versions to let maximum light through.
- Layer with sheer curtains if you need more nighttime privacy.
Shopping List
- Bamboo roman shades
- Woven wood shades
- Natural reed blinds
- Light filtering bamboo blinds
- Cordless bamboo shades
- Roll up bamboo blinds
- Tropical window treatments
- Rustic kitchen blinds
- Privacy bamboo shades
- Outdoor indoor bamboo blinds
8. Zebra Blinds (Dual Sheer Shades)
Zebra blinds alternate between sheer and solid fabric stripes. They offer a modern, striped look that adds dimension to a small kitchen without being bulky.
How To Get The Look:
- Keep the color palette neutral (white or soft grey).
- Align the stripes to control light and privacy instantly.
- Choose a cassette valance to hide the roller at the top.
Shopping List
- Zebra roller shades
- Dual sheer shades
- Day night blinds
- White zebra blinds
- Modern layered shades
- Double roller blinds
- Light control window shades
- Striped roller blinds
- Kitchen zebra blinds
- Cordless zebra shades
9. Tie-Up Shades
For a cottage or farmhouse aesthetic, tie-up shades add softness. They are less structured than Roman shades, giving a relaxed, breezy feel.
How To Get The Look:
- Use lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton blends.
- Adjust the height manually with fabric ties.
- Stick to solid colors or very small prints like gingham.
Shopping List
- Tie up curtain shades
- Farmhouse kitchen curtains
- Buffalo check tie up shades
- White linen tie up shade
- Adjustable balloon shades
- Rod pocket tie up shades
- Country style window treatments
- Grey tie up curtains
- Sheer tie up shades
- Cotton window shades
10. Solar Shades
Solar shades reduce glare and heat without blocking your view of the outside. This continuity between indoors and outdoors helps the kitchen feel larger.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose a 5% openness factor for a balance of view and UV protection.
- Opt for darker colors if you want better glare reduction and visibility out.
- Ensure they are easy to wipe down.
Shopping List
- Solar roller shades
- UV blocking blinds
- See through sun shades
- Heat reducing blinds
- Patio sun shades
- Outdoor roller shades
- Custom solar shades
- Grey solar shades
- Screen shades for windows
- Glare reducing blinds
11. Pleated Shades
Similar to cellular shades but with a crisp, single layer of fabric. They fold up very tightly, virtually disappearing when not in use.
How To Get The Look:
- Choose a fabric with a stain-resistant coating.
- Select a color that matches your window trim.
- Consider a cordless lift for a safer, cleaner look.
Shopping List
- Pleated window shades
- Cordless pleated blinds
- Fabric pleated shades
- White pleated shades
- Instant pleated blinds
- Light filtering pleated shades
- Temporary pleated shades
- Blackout pleated paper shades
- Adhesive pleated blinds
- Custom pleated shades
Elevate Your Kitchen Today
Updating your window treatments is one of the fastest ways to breathe new life into a small kitchen. Whether you prefer the warmth of bamboo or the crisp lines of roller shades, the right choice will make your cooking space feel brighter, bigger, and more inviting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What color blinds make a small room look bigger?
Lighter colors are best for expanding a space. White, cream, soft gray, and light pastels reflect natural light, making the walls recede and the room feel airier. Matching the blind color to your wall color creates a continuous line that tricks the eye into seeing a larger space.
2. Can I use curtains in a small kitchen?
You can, but they often take up more visual and physical space than blinds. If you love curtains, opt for sheer, lightweight panels and hang the rod high above the window frame to draw the eye up. Avoid heavy drapes which can make a small kitchen feel boxy.
3. Are roller blinds good for kitchens?
Yes, roller blinds are excellent for kitchens. They have a slim profile that fits neatly inside the window frame, and many are made from PVC or vinyl, making them easy to wipe clean of grease and splashes.
4. How do I choose blinds for a window over a sink?
Durability is key for over-the-sink windows. Faux wood, aluminum, or vinyl roller shades are best because they resist moisture and warping. Avoid natural wood or dry-clean-only fabrics that can be damaged by water splashes or steam.
5. Should kitchen blinds be inside or outside mount?
For small kitchens, an inside mount is usually better. It provides a cleaner, custom look and doesn’t protrude into the room. However, if your windows are very shallow, an outside mount might be necessary—just mount them high to create height.
